g than I do for
anybody in the State of Mizzoura--that's just how it is. [_Pause._
KATE _is silent._] You kin remember yourself when you was a little
girl an' I used to take a horse-shoe an' tie it on the anvil an' make
a side-saddle for you--an' I reckon I was the first fellow in Bowling
Green that ever called you. Miss Kate when you come back from school.

KATE. [_Rather tenderly._] I didn't want you to call me Miss Kate,
Jim.

JIM. Jes' fun, you know--an' now, Kate, when you're a woman, an' it's
only nature for men to like you,--I've got to ask you myself.

KATE. [_Pause._] I'm awful sorry you did it, Jim.

JIM. Sorry!

KATE. Yes, because I like you well enough, Jim--but--[_Pause. Enter_
JOE. KATE _stops._

JOE. Say, Jim--

JIM. [_Motioning_ JOE _to silence._] Go on, Kate--I ain't ashamed of
it--before Joe.

KATE. That's all there is to it--I just like you.

JIM. Well, I didn't know--you used to let me kiss you--

KATE. Yes, when I was coming home from school--I did. I thought I
was going to love you then. But there was the school. [_Pauses_] If I
hadn't gone to Lindenwood I might have thought so still. But we could
never be happy together, Jim--you haven't had proper advantages, I
know, and it isn't your fault. My _education_ has put the barrier
between us. Those four years at the Seminary--

JOE. [_Indignantly._] Why, Kate Vernon--everything you know, Jim
Radburn--

JIM. [_Imperatively._] Hold on--[_Pause._] You've heard her say no,
and--that lets you out. As far as I'm concerned--why, Kate's nearly
right. I don't know any more'n the law allows--but--that's for Kate to
say--

JIM _extends his hand in appeal to_ KATE. KATE _turns her back to
audience--leans on anvil, firmly shakes her head "No,"_ JIM _motions
silence to_ JOE; _makes a struggle, and pulls himself together--turns
and kneels by dog, caressing it._

CURTAIN.

ACT III.

SCENE. _Same as_ ACT I, _but tidy. Doors closed and lamp lighted. Song
in blacksmith shop before rise of curtain._

DISCOVERED. DAVE _and_ LIZBETH _playing checkers on home-made board._
EM'LY _and_ SAM _looking on._ JOE _reading._ KATE _in walking dress
looking out window._ MRS. VERNON _with glasses mending some garments._

JOE. [_Annoyed by song--frets. Goes to the door._] Here, you
boys--don't hang around that shop; go up in the square an' sing.

MRS. VERNON. What you sen' 'em away fur?

JOE. Oh, it's one o' them blamed "mother" songs. Nobody ever sin